Chapter 1: Eight Years later

Diana sighs softly watching Darius stalk out of the room, once more angry with Kunzite. She shook her head a bit and wonders why it always ends up like this.

Still, she thought as she went to clean up from the meeting, it's been eight years since the king's death. I suppose it is time. I just wish he wouldn't force the issue so often.

Today, it came up again. The one thing Darius had been avoiding all these years and throwing up excuses about. However it seemed no one was patient with the crowned prince, none more than Kunzite.

Marriage.

Darius didn't know why everyone was so obsessed over him marrying someone. Maybe it's because his sister was becoming serious with Theo, or it could be Yuu's change in style.

In either case, he wished they would leave him alone about the entire thing.

"Why is it so important for me to get married?" This question he directed it at Helios folding his arms a bit. He finally found his way to where the priest was and decided to hide out for a moment in Helios's study. "I mean honestly, what would it accomplish other then pissing people off?"

Helios only shook his head, "Well, aside from continuing the line, there is companionship and there are things that women are simply better at than men."

"They want me to marry by the time I'm..'twenty'." Darius looks away, "I know before I said it didn't matter- it still doesn't in a way- I just don't..think it's a good idea to just get married for the sake of others."

"I know, but that is how it is." Helios looks him over raising a brow, "Are you changing your mind about your stance before, Darius?"

"Maybe." He looks at him a bit, "The more I got to know those girls, the more I found I would probably stay far away from them. One's too loud and bossy, the other constantly flirts with me and is just as pushy, one is too shy for my taste and the last is simply boring."

Darius moves to look at the shelves, "There's simply no happy medium here. I at least have to get along with the woman that is to be my wife for damn near forever."

"Have you considered simply seeking out a bride for your own then?" Helios leans against the table with books stacked on it. "Perhaps someone that is simply a friend could be a good idea."

"I suppose." He mutters but sighs, "How's Yuzuki's lessons coming?"

"As well as one can expect." Helios told him, "She's quite gifted with the animals around here. However, I believe she's still deeply confused."

Darius could only nod and rub the bridge of his nose for a moment.

Yes, Yuzuki finally realized that she was very different from others and he was the one that had to tell her that. The memory of it came back to him, not even five years ago when the girl's aging had slowed just a bit for those few years leaving her at the age of eight until she grew again.

It wasn't telling her that she was different that bothered her, it was most likely-to him at least- that others were not similar to her. That perhaps she was the only one and the fact she could never tell anyone about it.

Those things accumulated over the years and when she shot up to the age of twelve or thirteen it really began to show in the way she carried herself.

Darius believed this might be some sort of karmic payback for how he was with his parents. Yuzuki had begun to switch between recognizing herself as a 'princess' or a 'prince'.

He really felt for her, after all it was hard enough becoming a teenager and then being royal without having an identity crisis.

"Prince?"

"Hm?" Darius looks over at him, "Is there something the matter?"

"I was going to tell you that your meeting will be starting soon." Helios said frowning a little, "Is everything well?"

"Of course." Darius smiles a bit walking over to him and kisses him softly, "I was just thinking of when to sneak off to see you again."

"You really need to pay attention at these meetings." He said shaking his head, "Now go before your mother sends someone to find you again."

Darius laughs a little, "If I didn't know any better, " He said turning to leave, "I'd say that you were trying to get rid of me."

Helios could only smile a little watching him go until the smile fades away completely. He sighs softly as his golden eyes flickered to the black box that sat on the top shelf.

"Perhaps." He said to the room, "I'm only trying to prepare you for the inevitable."

"Yuzuki~!"

At the moment, a thirteen year old Chiba Yuzuki was hiding behind a pillar, hoping to not be spotted by her eight year old guardian.

One of the many other surprises that occurred over the past eight years. She wasn't sure what the Mauian boy wanted- apparently he was a surprised for Artemis and Luna at the time much like her brother had been- but she was pretty certain that whatever it was it would be naggy.

Soma took after his mother way too much for Yuzuki's tastes. Even going on about her tastes in clothing, which made the princess wonder if he was simply an old man that switched bodies with some random kid.

"Yuzuki!" The green-eyed child calls again, "Come on, you know it's time for your etiquette lessons! Then that tutors coming in at four for your math work later."

As if. The black haired girl thought before running off with her yellow skirts held in her hands. I hate that teacher!

"Ah! Yuzuki!"

Crap, he found her.

Mint green eyes searched frantically for a hiding spot again before she fled to the right and ducked inside a random room.

She really wished Soma would go away. It wasn't that he was bad but gods was he naggy and annoying to her! It was like having a old maid.

"I can't have any fun when he's around." She mutters but ponders about finding her brother or sister. People that would help her sneak out later and see the city again.

Turning, she found she had ended up unintentionally running into the Prayer Room that existed with in the castle.

Her eyes flickered towards the towering crystal pillar and ponders the use of it. Ever since she was little, she had been taught mostly about the Earth ways and customs by Helios. She knew very little about the ways of the moon people or whatever they used to worship. Her mother, Neo-Queen Serenity, didn't remember much about it other then the few random little prayers. While Luna...well Luna had always been so stiff and Artemis's primary concern back then was about Venus. Though she was sure he might remember more about it than not.

"Not like it matters." She said looking at her reflection. Her hair was done up as it always had been in two buns on either side of her head that were wavy but longer now.

Outwardly, she supposed she looked very much like any girl and had even developed small breasts though they would probably never get beyond their current small size.

Only thing different about her was...well what was underneath the skirt. Neither man nor woman but both. A secret that they were all keeping.

Something she both hated but feared to break at any time. Yuzuki had come to hate hiding herself entirely which made it almost impossible for her to have the few normal things she could have.

Then again, it wasn't like she had many friends either that weren't already family. She turns away from the crystal pillar and leans against the door to listen. She didn't hear anything and sighs softly.

"Guess I should go change." She mutters to herself pushing the door open and glances around the hallway. No one was there. That was good.

Slipping out, she headed to her room to change clothes. While she didn't mind her pale yellow dress with the pale blue sash tied around her middle that flowed bheing her like a train and gave her the look that she had 'hips', she simply didn't feel that it was -her-.

Or was it?

Yuzuki wasn't sure any more. Ever since her brother had confirmed things with her, she couldn't simply go back to what she was before hand.

"I wish Daddy was still here." She mutters before slipping into her room, "Maybe he could have helped."

There was nothing to do there though as she pulls the sash off and then unzips her dress letting it fall and pool around her feet. All the while she watched her reflection as she pulls the buns down and her hair tumbles down to her hips.

She didn't like her hair very much and her sister and mother had been very admant about her keeping with the family tradition. Girls wore buns, boys had short hair.

Though she wondered what was she really? Standing clad in the slip she wore, she lets that fall too and stood only in the tiny bra she wore and panties. It wasn't uncomfortable to wear but it was a little telling.

Ami had said both functioned as normally as any other person's would. That that in itself was a miracle and strange as well.

Yuzuki didn't care much for Ami and her husband, Nephrite. They seemed too intent on learning just why she was the way she was. Those once a month checkups would be hours longer then what her brother and older sister would experience.

Then again, she thought to herself turning away and flops down on her bed for the moment as she pulls the pillow to her chest, they're not as much of an oddity as I am.

Though, she felt a bit more kinship to her brother than her sister.

After all, he hadn't grown even an inch from even before their father had died. He didn't look anything like a college student but more like some high schooler.

It baffled them that her sister Usa could be so normal after having stopped growing for a short while, but she and her brother were simply abnormal.

They like mysteries, she thought sleepily, but I don't want to be a specimen to be looked at under some magnifying glass all the time.

"I wish I could be like the others." She mutters closing her eyes for now. "I wish I could be normal..."

Serenity sighs after the latest meeting and leans against her chair, idly playing with the locket around her neck. It had been a Christmas gift Darius had given her after the first Christmas without Endymion. It hadn't been much but it was only a picture of Endymion on one side and her children on the other.

She absolutely treasured it the most out of everything that had been given her. Well nearly everything. She now had taken to wearing both her engagement ring that Endymion had given her and the wedding ring.

Each year seemed to pass quickly but then again it was slow as well. It was a strange feeling however she lived each day as best she could , preparing her children for the time when she would also no longer be around.

It was another weird feeling she had, both wanting to be here to see whatever grandchildren she would have, but also longing for the day she would join her love in the after life.

She was worried though, about her children. Usa, as she liked to be called now, seemed to hide much of herself behind a smile. So much like herself, Serenity had thought, and Darius.. she knew he hated the topic of marriage. Even when he didn't care for it, he seemed to avoid it at every chance.

Normally, it wouldn't be a big deal to her, however because he will be king- sooner than most would expect- he needed a wife for not only to continue their line but to be accepted by everyone. It was far more crucial than anything.

She opens the locket, her eyes gazed at the picture for a long while before saying, " Mamo-chan, I hate doing this to him. But what choice do we have?"

The image of the smiling king said nothing in response, but she wanted to believe he was listening to her.

"And Yuzuki.." Serenity stops talking for a moment as her last child appears in her mind. "She's so lost..I don't know how to help her."

Was there any help? She didn't know but she did pray that something would help the princess overcome whatever issues she was facing.

"Usa?"

The crimson eyed princess turns towards the sound of the male's voice and smiles brightly, "Theo! I was waiting for you!"

She nearly tackles the larger man to the ground, hugging him tightly, "I was wondering when you would be here!"

Theo laughs a bit and only leans over to kiss his princess, "I'm sorry for that. Mom wanted me to see about my little sister."

"How is Cassie now?" Usa only leans against him as they walked through the park where she had been waiting.

Today, he was taking her out on a date in the city. He wouldn't tell her where- which was part of the excitement- and had promised her a gift. Like her brother, Theo had finished high school with very good marks and had elected to go to school aboard for a couple of years and had only just returned to stay permanently. While away his mother had had another child, Cassidy, who was currently in elementary school.

"She seems every bit energetic as the last time I saw her during break." He told her chuckling a bit, "How's school been?"

"Alright." She said and shrugs, "Nothing much happened- oh did Susan tell you about her new boyfriend?"

His blue-violet eyes widens a bit, "She has a boyfriend?"

"Oops." Usa seemed embarrassed, "I thought you knew?"

"No!" He had a thoughtful look on his face that was slowly becoming a bit more devious, "However, maybe I should pay him a visit..?"

"Theo." Usa shook her head trying not to laugh, "Don't be mean. Besides, my brother never treated you like that."

Theo only huffs a little at that before shaking his head, "Either way, lets go. There's an amusement park near by."

"Is that where you wanted to take me?" She grins, she loved amusement parks. They were just so much fun!

"Yup." He said hailing a cab as the exited the park, "They have a very good show going on there as well. I heard it's traveled all over the world."

"I can't wait!"

He watches it roil and bubble with inside of the membrane the separated them. His eyes didn't waver as the light grew brighter and brighter before dimming again.

Tilting his head he could only nod slowly, of course. He would gather them. Those remnants that stayed on the fringes.

After all, everyone loves revenge and it would buy him the time he needed.

"Yes, I understand." He said turning, "It's been hard to hide your presence here, but since they have not noticed just yet that means the wards are holding. It is very fortunate for us to have such a body on hand for the sacrifice needed."

He casts a glance over at the skeletal head that protruded out of the wall with it's mouth gaping open in an eternal scream.

"I'm sure convincing them will not be a problem." He turns again to look at it, "Aren't you glad that she found you? Just a little more time and we'll have all the components we need."